MCALPINE BACKS CHILDREN’S BRAIN TUMOUR CAMPAIGN

CROSS-PARTY SUPPORT FOR HEADSMART AWARENESS DRIVE

MSPs from across the political spectrum joined forces last night (Wed) in the fight against childhood brain tumours.

South of Scotland MSP Joan McAlpine and Cabinet secretary for Health and Wellbeing Alex Neil were among those who pledged their support for the HeadSmart campaign, which aims to cut the time between first symptoms and diagnosis of brain tumours in children.

Since it was launched in 2011, the campaign – run by The Brain Tumour Charity – has reduced the average diagnosis time from 9.1 weeks to 6.9 weeks.

HeadSmart aims ultimately to distribute pocket-sized information cards listing brain tumour symptoms to every household with children in Scotland,

Speaking after the parliamentary reception attended by MSPs, clinicians and families affected by brain tumours, Ms McAlpine praised the ‘impressive’ work of HeadSmart in raising awareness of brain tumours in children and young people.

“I know that brain tumours are the biggest cancer killer of children and adults under 40.

“The Scottish Government is committed to raising awareness of cancer and to reducing the time it takes to diagnose children and young people.

“We fully recognise the important contribution of the HeadSmart campaign to this aim.”

The reception was sponsored by MSP Cameron Buchanan, who was himself diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2010.

Mr Buchanan has tabled a Parliamentary motion congratulating The Brain Tumour Charity for the HeadSmart campaign, its work in Scotland and its achievements as the largest dedicated funder of brain tumour research in Europe.

Sarah Lindsell, chief executive of The Brain Tumour Charity, said:

“HeadSmart has already achieved an enormous amount by bringing down average diagnosis time from 9.1 weeks to 6.9.

“The support of MSPs from across the political spectrum will help us to drive forward the campaign in Scotland and reduce that figure even further, saving lives and reducing life-long disabilities among children with brain tumours.”

At today’s Housing Sub Committee, Councillors agreed to allocate just over 75k to support the region’s Handy Van and Food Train service.

£37,400 will be used to allow the continuation of the Food Train service which provides a shopping and delivery service to older and vulnerable people.  The Food Train Extra service also helps people with small household jobs which do not require the skills of a tradesman. Examples include changing light bulbs, cleaning light shades, moving furniture and small repairs such as re-fixing loose tiles, picture hanging, fuses, plugs and other similar jobs.

The Handy-Van Small Repairs & Home Support Service will be able expand in to the West of the region thanks to the allocation of £38,000.  The funding will allow a Handy-Van operative to be based in the Stranraer.

The Food Train Extra service already works very closely with the Handy-van service.   A first visit from Food Train Extra includes a home safety check with referral to the Handy-van for home security measures and Home Fire Safety Team for fire safety measures.

Where 2 people are required, Food Train Extra provides volunteers to the Handy-van service to assist in jobs such as those which require ladder work.

Councillor Jim McClung, Chair of the Council’s Housing Sub Committee said
“I am glad that funding has been approved for both of these projects as they enable older and vulnerable people to live independently and safely in their own home.  Having a base in Stranraer will enable the Handy Van service to help people in the West of our region.

At today’s Housing Sub Committee, Councillors agreed to expand the qualifying criteria for the Below Tolerable Standard (BTS) policy in order to improve more properties in our region. The BTS sets out a list of criteria to determine whether a property is habitable. The Standard addresses issues of public health, comfort and safety.

Some of the criteria used to assess a property include the stability of the structure and whether there is an adequate supply of hot and cold water. It should also have an effective drainage system and be substantially free from rising or penetrating damp.

In 2013/14, there have been 228 enquiries received under the BTS. These are at various stages of completion, investigation or assessment. Grants have been awarded or approved for 81 cases, so far.

The criteria has now been amended to allow people to apply even if the property is not the applicants only or principal home and if the applicant has lived in the house for less than six months.

A 100% grant will now be available to applicants in receipt of Income Support, Employment Support Allowance, Income based Job Seekers Allowance & Guaranteed Element of Pension Credit.

Councillor Jim McClung, Chair of the Council’s Housing Sub Committee said
“Everyone should be living in a safe and healthy environment, but this is not always possible. In response, we have simplified the application process to help more people improve their living conditions. We also want to help bring long term empty properties back into use, so owners of these properties will also be entitled to a 30% grant.”

Any householder who thinks they may be entitled to a grant to tackle BTS issues can contact the Council’s contact centre on 030 33 33 3000.

Over £90k of funding has been allocated to support the Dumfries Town Centre Pilot Housing Regeneration Area (HRA) Action Plan. The decision was made at today’s Housing Sub Committee.

The pilot scheme to replace cast iron railings and masonry fencing in the HRA has proven to be very successful, so £30k will be allocated to cover applications which could not be progressed due to a lack of funds. Properties in the HRA will also be tested for the presence of lead piping. £20k will be put into a grant scheme to support commercial property owners in Friars Vennel, this will allow repairs to be carried out where there is shared responsibilities between residential and commercial owners.

‘Seed funding’ will be set up to target property owners in Queens Street and Friars Vennel that were the subject of an unsuccessful bid to the Scottish Government’s Town Centre Housing bid. The bid was unsuccessful because the properties, one on Friar’s Vennel and the other on Queen street required complex conversions which involved a change of use. The grant funding of £20k allocated by committee will hopefully make their projects more financially viable helping them to raise private finance.

Councillor Jim McClung, Chair of the Housing Sub Committee said
“The Action Plan goes beyond just encouraging repairs to individual properties. We want to transform this neighbourhood into an area we can all be proud of. With this in mind, the action plan focuses on issues such as the impact of local business activity, improving the wider environment, crime reduction and opportunities for new housing development.”